Abstract: 【Objective】In order to provide data support for horticulture researchers and administrative decision makers, this study surveyed the basic research development status of horticulture based on papers published in SCI-indexed journals. 【Method】Bibliometric analysis was carried out to investigate the papers published in SCI-indexed journals during 2005-2014 with titles relevant to more than 60 kinds of common horticultural plants by using comparative analysis with WoS & citespace on annual distribution, average cited times without self-citations, h-index, countries (regions), institutions, publication in high-impact journals, research areas, hotspots, etc. 【Result】The study showed that the annual quantity of papers published in SCI-indexed journals had been increased year by year in the past decade and China had become the 2nd largest country in the number of papers after the USA. The number of Chinese horticultural papers became the largest in the world between 2010 and 2014. Comparing the papers with selected fruits as the theme between 2005-2009 and 2010-2014, it was found that the proportion of Chinese horticultural papers had risen from 8.40% to 15.68%, and the ranking had risen from 3rd to 2nd. The average cited times without self-citations of Chinese papers had risen from 5th to 4th, and the h-index had risen from 3rd to 2nd, in the top 10 countries of the paper records ranking. The number of Chinese institutions that ranked in the top 25 around the world had increased from 4 to 7. Comparing the papers with selected vegetables (including melon & watermelon) as the theme between 2005-2009 and 2010-2014, it was found that the proportion of Chinese papers had risen from 8.79% to 16.90%, and the ranking had remained at 2nd. The average cited times without self-citations of Chinese papers had remained 6th and the h-index ranking had risen from 5th to 2nd in the top 10 countries of the paper records ranking. The number of Chinese institutions that ranked in the top 25 around the world had increased from 3 to 5. Comparing the papers with selected flowers & tea as the theme between 2005-2009 and 2010-2014, it was found that the proportion of Chinese papers had risen from 14.12% to 26.14%, and the ranking had risen from 3rd to 1st. The average cited times without self-citations of Chinese papers had remained 7th and the h-index ranking had risen from 3rd to 2nd in the top 10 countries of the paper reorders ranking. The number of Chinese institutions that ranked in the top 25 around the world had increased from 3 to 8. The number of Chinese horticultural papers published in high-impact biology journals increased rapidly during the past decade with its ranking rising from 8th to 5th. The number of Chinese institutions that ranked in the top 25 around the world had increased from 1 to 3. The analysis of research area showed that the proportion of Chinese horticultural papers was large in biochemistry and molecular biology, but smaller in the fields of entomology and agriculture. The research hotspots were high quality draft genome, fruit development and maturation and phenolic compound. 【Conclusion】The number of Chinese horticultural papers published in SCI-indexed journals has been increased in the past five years and the output has ranked 1st in the world, but the quality has not kept up with the quantity. Compared with part of the development countries, the proportion of Chinese horticultural papers was larger in basic research direction, but smaller in the areas which are closely related to traditional agronomy. In the future, more attentions should be paid to the problem-oriented research and the connection and contribution to problems in various links of the industry.

Key words: horticulture, basic research, SCI, bibliometric, development status, WoS, citespace